Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills is the most common name I've heard for this amazing fossil-themed park behind the Laguna Hills Community Center at the corner of Alicia and Paseo De Valencia.
I've also heard it called: Dino Park and Prehistoric Park. It's a great run-around park with 2 different levels and all sorts of play equipment.
Check out my one minute "park teaser" video a little further down in the post for a quick overview.
Directions to Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills: Exit Interstate 5 at Alicia Parkway and head towards Laguna Hills (away from Mission Viejo). Dinosaur Park is ahead on your right at the corner of Alicia Parkway and Paseo De Valencia - behind the Laguna Hills Community Center. [Address: 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills). MAP TO DINOSAUR PARK NEAR LAGUNA HILLS COMMUNITY CENTER
Highlights:
- Different areas appropriate for different ages
- Concrete turtles sculptures
- Very clean indoor bathrooms at the Community Center
- Close to soccer fields so plenty of room to run
- Beautiful rose garden and flowering trees
- Fun discovering fossils in the rock walls and playing on "whale bones"
- Tunnels, bridges, and stairs for exploring
- 2 bench swings and one baby swing (on upper level)
- Great for birthdays and big gatherings
- Visit the inside of the beautiful Laguna Hills Community Center for learning more fossil history and visiting the small public library
- Renovation in 2011 resulted in: replacing a lot of the sand with recycled rubber surfacing -- and automating the turtle fountains with sensors. They go off for 3 minutes at a time. (The city knows they are popular -- and are trying to keep them functioning ALL year. Wanna know how you can help? Remind kids not to jam sticks or sand into where the water comes out. Thanks!)
- A mom & reader of this blog actually encouraged the City to install shade covers over parts of the playground in 2017.
Be Aware:
- Access to tall tunnel slide on upper play area is precarious for toddlers
- The metal slides connecting upper to lower play areas can get really hot during summer
- Some parents don't like this park because their younger child will want to play on the lower level -- and the older child will want to play on the upper level. So the parent runs around to be able to keep an eye on everybody.
- It backs up to Laguna Hills High School, so there are sometimes high school students there -- at lunch and outside of school hours during the school year. One parent reported: "Too many high school kids cursing and hanging out on the playground around the kids." Now, I have to say that I have NEVER had this experience in the 15+ years I've visited this park -- but I also try to avoid times when high school kids would be there - or if I'm uncomfortable we just leave. That's why I always include "Nearby Parks" in my posts so you can have an alternative when something unexpected or unpleasant comes up!
- May also compete for space with Community Center programs, city events, and soccer games at certain times of year
Checklist:
- Plentiful parking near Community Center
- Play surface: Recycled rubber and sand
- Bathroom building near to playground
- Numerous drinking fountains
- Subway across the street in Ralphs shopping center
- Shade covers, trees, and patio cover over picnic area
- Large picnic area with shade near snack bar, as well as two accessible picnic tables on upper level near swings with shade covers
- Most impressive picnic area with COVERED barbecue grills
- If the snack bar happens to be open, a portion of proceeds benefit the Laguna Hills Little League
- Visit the City of Laguna Hills website for making reservations (it's under "Community Center & Sports Complex)
- Nearby public library: The Laguna Hills Technology branch of the Orange County Public Library system (it's small, but it does have a selection of childrens' books available for check-out)
Nearby parks:
Originally published in October 2008.
